Golf spike assembly



Sept 21, 1954 J. R. BERNSTEIN 2,689,417

GOLF SPIKE ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 5, 1951 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 21, 1954UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GOLF SPIKE ASSEMBLY Joseph RandolphBernstein, Chicago, Ill. Application November 5, 1951, Serial No.254,847 1 Claim. (01. 36--59) This invention relates to spike assembliesfor athletic shoes and has particular reference to where the shoe soleis resting on the ground and is given a pivotal movement by the wearer.This pivotal or turning movement of the sole of the shoe on the ground,with the spikes embedded therein, is constantly repeated in the case ofgolf shoes. Each time a golfer assumes his stance for the purpose ofaddressing the ball, and subsequently takes a stroke, the spike whichduring those periods is engaged in the ground is subject to constanttwisting stresses caused by rotation relative to the ground due to thepivoting movement of the player during the stroke.

For the above reasons this invention is adapted particularly for use inconjunction with spikes for golf shoes and its object is to eliminatethe heretofore described loosening of the spike as a result of theforces to which it is subjected constantly during use.

A further object of the invention is to attain the above primaryobjective utilizing a minimum number of rugged parts in assembly, all ofwhich are inexpensive to manufacture and easy to assemble, ship, andinstall.

Still another object of the invention is to so construct and interrelateeach of the parts which are designed in accordance with the majorconcept expressed herein that each is adapted to low cost production onstandard machines available for various other purposes.

Various other objects and meritorious features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description taken in conjunction withthe drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral figures, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view of a shoe sole equipped with my improvedspikes.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged bottom plan view of a single spike assemblypositioned in the shoe sole;

Fig. 3 is a section through 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the component elements making up thecomposite spike assembly, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the outer face of my improved washer element.

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the numeral l0 designates ashoe sole in which a plurality of my improved spike assemblies broadlydesignated by the numeral I2 are inserted. The assembly is composite innature and is comprised of an internally threaded anchor H, a washer l6,and a spike member broadly indicated by the numeral I 8. As will beapparent from Fig. 3 of the drawings, the anchor I 4 is embedded in soleID of the shoe for reception of the remainder of the assembly now to bedescribed.

The spike member broadly designated by numeral [8 comprises a spikeportion 20 at one end and a threaded shank 22 at the other for receptioninto the internally threaded anchor I 4. Interposed between the spikeand the threaded shank is a flange 24 which is concaveconvex and whichis provided with a series of corrugations or indentations 26 extendingaround its outer margin or periphery. Between the threads on the shank22 and the adjacent surface of flange 24 is an unthreaded portion 28forming in substance a groove around the shank.

The washer broadly designated by numeral I6 is generally concave-convexcorresponding to flange 24 and the radius of curvature is substantiallythe same. Near the outer periphery of the washer a series ofcorrugations or indentations 3|] extends circumferentially therearound,the corrugations 30 being radially spaced from the center of the washera distance corresponding to the radial distance which corrugations 26are removed from the center of the spike shank. Thus, when the spikeflange 1 8 and washer l6 are in superimposed position the corrugations26 register with corrugations 3|] for a purpose to be more clearlybrought out hereafter.

At circumferentially spaced points along corrugations 38 prongs 32 arestruck up from the metal. The extreme outer periphery of washer I6 iscrowned as indicated at 34, the outer margin of this crown portion lyingin a plane which is spaced outwardly beyond the plane of corrugations 30and forming a marginal rim or lip designated by the numeral 36 whichserves a purpose to be hereafter brought out.

The functions of the various structural features heretofore emphasizedin connection with each of the component elements forming the assemblywill be clear from examination of Fig. 3 of the drawings. The washer I 6is interposed between the flange 24 of spike member t8 and the sole ofthe shoe as the shank 22 is threaded into the anchor l4. Openings 31 maybe provided in the margin of flange 24 for reception of a spanner wrenchor other tightening tool which may be used to thread the assembly intothe anchor. As the spike member and its flange move in toward the soleof the shoe the pressure exerted on washer 16 will force the prongs 32into the material of the sole of the shoe, as clearly shown in Fig, 3,After prongs 32 become so embedded in the sole material, furtherrotation is precluded insofar as the washer i6 is concerned. However, asthe spike member is further rotated corrugations 26 which are inregistry with corrugations 30 will continue to move over the latter,which are stationary, in ratchet-like fashion.

Due to the concave-convex nature of washer l6 and the fact that itsdiameter is substantially greater than the similarly concave-convexflange 24 of the spike member, the washer l6 will tend to flatten oncontinued rotation of the spike member and the rim or lip: 36 of thecrown portion 34 of washer 15 will engage the sole of the shoe tightly,digging into the same to some ex tent and forming a seal against theingress of moisture. et

At whatever point rotation of the spike memher is terminated, which willordinarily be when the assembly seems to be suitably tightened in theshoe sole, the ratchet-like nature of the connection between the washerand the spike flange will preclude counterrotation of the flange due tothe streses emphasized earlier in this description. Sincecounterrotation or loosening movement of the spike element and itsflange 24 is prevented by this ratchet engagement, the remainder of theassembly will continue in tight engagement with the anchor and the soleof the shoe. Rotation of the washer in any direction is, of course,precluded by the fact that prongs 132 of the washer I6 are embedded inthe material of the shoe sole.

In preparing the assembly for shipment the 4 washer may be slipped overthe shank of the spike member to a position adjacent flange 24. Groove28 which receives the central opening in the washer will retain it inplace during shipment.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it willbe apparent that various modifications within the scope of the inventiveconcept disclosed may be apparent to those skilled in t rt and f r hat sn I wish to limit myself only within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A golf spike assembly comprising an internally threaded anchor member, aspike member in cluding a threaded shank at one end and a concavo-convexflange at the base of the spike, the extreme outer margin of said flangebeing corrugated, and a congavo-convex washer provided with corrugationsadapted to register with those in said spike flange when the two are insuperposed position to provide an interlock for fine increments ofrotative tightening movement, said washer including a crown portionextending around its corrugations the outer rim of which lies in a planebeyond the plane of said corrugations for engaging the sole material ofa shoe to provide a tight weatherproof seal, spaced portions of saidcorugated section of said washer being struck from. the plane of thecorrugations to form prongs adapted forengaging the sole material of ashoe, said. prongs extending substantially normal to the plane of theouter rim of the washer and beyond the same for engaging the solematerial of a shoe, said spike flange covering the openings resultingfrom the formation of the prongs to preserve the weatherproof integrityof the seal.

Name Date MacNei'l'l May 9, 1-950 Number

